New Delhi, Sep 9 (IANS) The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) will meet Friday to discuss an Eid-ul-Fitr package for the violence-hit Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said Thursday.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will chair the meeting to be attended by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister A.K. Antony and Home Minister P. Chidmabaram, officials added.
The meeting will discuss the issues relating to amending the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had met Manmohan Singh Wednesday here and requested for the lifting of AFPSA at least from a few districts of the state.
Omar met Mukherjee and Antony Thursday and discussed the situation in the violence-hit state.
According to official sources, the peace package is likely to include:
– Lifting of AFSPA from the districts of Srinagar and Badgam in Kashmir and Jammu and Ramban in Jammu region. Now all the districts of the state are placed under the act.
– Special compensation for the families of the 69 civilians killed in firing by security forces during the past three months.
– Jobs and rehabilitation for surrendered militants.
– An employment package for the educated unemployed.
– Release of arrested youths and withdrawal of several cases related to stone-pelting.
The central government will repeat its intention to begin a dialogue with ‘all shades of opinion in Jammu and Kashmir’, the sources said.
Sending an all-party parliamentary delegation to the violence-hit state will be another proposal to come up at Friday’s cabinet meeting.
Political circles have been hinting at a relief package to be announced on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr Saturday.
At least 69 civilians, mostly teenagers and young men, have been killed in firing by security forces on stone-pelting street protesters since June 11.
The cycle of violence has led to frequent shutdowns and curfew in the valley for the past three months.
